As the winter solstice brings with it long nights of frosty breath and nose-nipping cold, gather with us before a warming hearth as we weave a tale of adventure, enchantment, and self-discovery. When a young girl goes in search of her Nordic heritage, she is drawn into the mystical and fantastical stories of her father’s Finnish homeland, as well as the masterful craftsmanship of her mother’s Swedish musical traditions. As we are swept along on her journey through epic folklore, alongside heroes and magical creatures, and across the vast and vibrant landscape of the Nordic region, we come to realize--as does she--that the threads that connect us to our past become the fabric upon which we stitch all that we could ever want to be. Joining a talented cast of local actors, singers, and dancers will be featured guest performers from the world of Scandinavian song and dance, bringing to the stage unique folk instruments from the Nordic region. These guest artists include: Andrea Larson, singer and fiddle player in the Swedish tradition; lydia ievins, playing the 5-string fiddle and nyckelharpa; Loretta Kelley on the Hardanger fiddle, or hardingfele; Finnish performer Merja Soria playing the kantele (Finnish folk harp); and Norwegian dancer Tom Lovli, renowned for his performance of the Norwegian hallingdans, or halling dance. The Christmas Revels is the Upper Valley’s most enduring holiday tradition, with every year bringing with it a once-in-a-lifetime performance sure to get audiences singing along and dancing in the aisles! This year, we’ll be bringing a little extra hygge (Nordic coziness) to the stage, as we brighten up the dark solstice nights with music, dance, laughter...and you!